Blog... what you need to know

Agritourism in GA is growing rapidly. What is Agritourism? AGRITOURISM is a unique experience that combines traditional agriculture with tourism. In Georgia, agriculture and tourism are our state’s top two economic generators. The combination of the two promotes all areas of Georgia, rural and urban, and encourages tourists to explore Georgia's farms and agribusinesses. As a farm wedding destination we fall under the agrientertainment or agritainment category of Agritourism. 'Georgia's tourism industry impact hit a record high with $63.1 billion in 2017.' Today Commissioner Gary Black asked people to share their farm stories for GaAg Week 2019.

Being mostly a city girl, I don't have many stories of growing up on the farm. Stories, they are just that, what you recall about a certain instance. My aunt and uncle owned a ranch in Forsyth, GA. He raised quarter horses after retiring from the Air Force. In fact they built the 1st indoor arena in GA. The Allman Brothers band played a benefit concert there for the Special Olympics. Those were some fun days rambling in the woods and playing around the barn. I remember a swift pony ride and being thrown off Frisky! I was not much the horse person after that. Now Roger has many stories. He caught horney heads in the creek (a little bait fish), someone dared him to jump off the rafters in the chicken house for $2, he remembers holding the little pigs down while his dad castrated them, digging thistle up by the roots to keep them from spreading (before roundup weed killer) riding in the back of the pick up full speed through the pasture, mending endless barbed wire fences... to him the farm does not hold much romance. There is a lot of behind the scenes hard work in having a farm. It takes someone like me with the rose colored glasses to show him just how wonderful his family's property can be for others to use. These days, with our indoor society, our venue offers people a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Many times people who use our venue often state "I wish we had opted for more time here." We have a beautiful view of rolling Georgia foothills, cattle grazing just past the pasture fence and a sunset view that just cannot be beat. Time seems to slow down while watching nature. Each season offers it's own beauty. Spring explodes with 500 shades of green budding out in the trees foliage. Summer flowers and lots of green grass make for a nice evening party. We have views of fall colors in all directions in October and November. If you are looking for an outdoor experience you will find it here. Our farm views along with the Farmhouse offers you everything you need for a great party experience.

Do you have a memory of time spent outdoors at the farm? Please share it with us. Remember to tag #GaAgWeek2019 so #GeorgiaGrown can read it too!

Since 2015 we have been the party hosts at our venue for 9 parties! We have had our son's rehearsal dinner, an engagement party, baby shower, family birthday parties, wedding of our daughter, baby's 1st birthday party, Roger's dad's 90th birthday and most recently a going away party for our daughter and son in law who are moving to Germany for 3 years! That is a lot of events! Value, if you were to host a party at your own house, rent a tent, rent in tables, chairs, linens and all that goes along you may spend $800 - $1500 even before the food, decor or entertainment.

When we host an event here we have the luxury of cleaning up and putting things tomorrow. I don't know how you get everything accomplished in one day! When we had the idea of our farm venue we thought that would be the luxury... time. We have tried to let people build their own wedding or party package. We offer a few hours, a half day, full day, two, three or four day rentals. Some people book elsewhere because they want more. We can give you more too! Just the bare basics of the venue will cost you as little as $2500 for 12 hours at our location. Add in the reception chairs for $500 Add in a linen package for our 16 reception tables and cocktail tables for $350 ( includes the delivery too). Add in a second set of ceremony chairs for $225. Add in a Dj for 6-8 hours for $800. Add a bartender and cleanup for another $400. Want an extra day at the venue add in another $500. We can even get you a wedding coordinator who will stage your wedding's decor and do the flowers too! Since opening the venue in 2016 we have made many acquaintances in the wedding industry. We know caterers, photographers, officiants, photo booth owners, videographers and more. Just ask us how we can help you have a beautiful party here.

Dates, they sound so perfect when you are planning. My anniversary is 8/6/88. I did not even plan that! It actually was our second date. The first was 7/6/88 a Saturday after the fourth of July holiday. It was the first date not booked with a wedding that year. July and hot was not what I had been dreaming about. Pinterest boards had not been thought of yet. It was all in our heads! My Mama would not agree on the date. There are many people and schedules that have to be coordinated when arriving at your date. You won't please everyone. So, do the best you can including the most people you can. Mama was right about my date. Too many people would be off on vacation. So now, I have the perfect anniversary of 8/6/88! It was the next date available in the church that year. (Oops! I forgot to say I consulted Roger. I just told him when to show up at the church. Still together after 30 years.) Your date will be perfect too! Schedule a tour with us and let's discuss your perfect anniversary month.

​While we strive to be flexible and work with the bride and her family allowing you to bring your own vendors and DIY wedding planning. Sometimes that is just not what Mom wants to be doing on your wedding day. We have met many teams who have worked well under wedding day pressures. Please look over the blue and pink packages to see if these would work on your special day. Then call us and schedule a tour of our facility. Be sure to bring any materials so I can effectively translate the vision of your day to our team available for your day.

2018 found us in 2 magazine articles! Thank you to Southern Distinction Magazine for coming out and featuring our venue and myself in your magazine. Southern Distinction is a local magazine out of Athens, GA. From their website "Southern DistinctionMagazine embodies the finer aspects of the southern lifestyle. From fine dining to leisure and vacation, we know the classic south, and our region has plenty to offer.We educate our readers on businesses, trends, travel, events, entertainment, sports, home & garden, medical advances, food & wine, and up and coming, prominent citizens. Our professional, in-house staff are experts and we only work with the best photographers, artists, graphic designers, writers, and stylists to ensure our magazine remains a permanent fixture in homes and businesses."

As the 2018 booked weddings come to an end we turn to the farm life. The grass which is feed for our cows turns brown with the first freeze of the year and we begin to feed hay. It also means taking the calfs and yearlings off to the cattle sale barn. Our happy cows love just hanging out and watching the party and listening to your party music. We really do use that red cattle trailer in the lovely photos. But wait... just one more wedding song before they go on to greener pastures. It has been a great year and we look forward to Twenty Nineteen!

Just a quick 35 minutes OTP head north on interstate 85. We are 12 miles up I-985, Lanier Parkway. Located off exit 12 the Spout Springs/ Flowery Branch exit. Construction has begun on exit 14 and expected to be completed fall of 2019. We will then be located just 2 miles off the exit. And if you are coming from Gainesville, we are about 12 miles down I-985.

With the state of Georgia having a population of over 10 million people. Flowery Branch would be considered a small town with a population of 8 thousand people. Many people know Flowery Branch as the current training camp of the Atlanta Falcons. We are a bedroom community to Atlanta and the surrounding counties. People enjoy our hospitality and small town charm. Won't you come out and enjoy the country just up the road from Atlanta? Let The Farmhouse at 30542 be the place to make your wedding memories. Let us show you some southern hospitality.

Update! we gave our vendor baskets away to 2 booking brides. MaryKathleen and Wesleigh we just adore both and are looking forward to hosting their weddings!

​Join us at the Farmhouse for our 3rd annual Open House! This is a free event for brides looking for a venue and other vendors for their upcoming wedding. You will get to meet the vendors in person and even book them that same day! There will be venue tours, giveaways, demos, cake tasting, entertainment, caterers, wedding planners, decorators, HMUA, and much more! If you are planning to come join the fun, go ahead and pick the "Going" option! Bring your bride tribe and have a fun Sunday afternoon here at the Farmhouse 30542 where you can book your venue and all your wedding vendors in one place and let them take care of making your dream wedding day perfect! We can't wait to meet you!

This wedding was definitely one for the books! Every detail was ornately planned and tailored completely to the couples style. Oh, did we mention the bride was her own planner? That's how awesome of a bride she was! Thank you for letting us be a part of your amazing day Mr. & Mrs. Addison!

"We absolutely LOVED every single moment and tiny detail of our wedding day at the Farmhouse! Thank you for hosting us so well! I wish I could just get married over and over and over again here!! Our Honeymoon was perfect and we are loving every minute of being married! :) "​ -Lundon Addison

One of our beautiful spring brides has shared all her details and gorgeous photos with us! When deciding on vendors, always see if there are any preferred for that venue, sometimes they have specials deals or discounts if you book there!